You're my Hero Dad!

Every year, your birthday reminds me how grateful I am that you are my father. With all that’s going on in the world today, I’m thankful I get to watch you, to look up to you, being an example of a good man. What a privilege it is to observe your strength, your competence, and your kindness. I am so blessed to be under your wing, your protection, your care, learning important life lessons from you. If all fathers were like you, the world would be a very different and much better place. Happy 60th Birthday Dad! We love you! CHEERS! ;)

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

I would like to make my post a little different today. I want to wish someone a very happy birthday. He was my hero, the one man that made every other one look like less of a man, the one man who was always there for me no matter what, and the one who always loved me no matter how dumb I was or what mistake I made. This man is my dad.

My dad was a great man, a kind man and most of all a family man. His family always came first, and he taught us to always remember that. This is the reason why I am so close to my family. He was the glue that kept it all together and reminded us every time we were mad at each other that we were family and nothing could change that. Besides being a family man, he was a fair and funny man. Ask anyone, he could tell a joke before you could even say hi to him.

He is the most amazing man I know. He raised us to be wonderful children and I must thank him for that and everything he has done. He is amazing. Dad, Happy Birthday on this milestone. Thank you for everything, I'm so grateful to be your daughter. The father/daughter bond is something any man would want. I love you dad. Many wishes to you on this very special day!

Happy Birthday Lolo Daddy! We miss you so much! See you real soon.
WE LOVE YOU!

Depressed! =(

Is it better to let yourself be depressed every once in a while or force yourself to stay positive?

Lately I'm struggling to stay positive. Sometimes I feel like I'm about to break down but I just keep telling myself I can't. Lately, i'ts become just this in the middle numb zombie like state and I hate it. Sometimes, I think I should let myself be a little depressed just to feel again but I really don't want to go into a depression mode but I'm trying so hard to be happy and it isn't working. Its just going blank. I'm not depressed but I'm not happy either. I'm just here or rather not here. I'm afraid to let go and just feel anything because I don't know what emotion will come out. I just don't want to lose control over myself. I’ve lost control of everything in my life but myself and I'm wondering if that's a bad thing.

I know, life is what you yourself make it , good or bad it's all up to us to cry or laugh. Sometimes we suffer from depression but we have to choose to move forward because if we would just curl in a ball... at the end we'll realize what a waste of life.

I know I'll be fine... maybe I just miss my friends and family way back home.

Utstein Kloster - the Abbey beside Mosterøy

It's Maundy Thursday (Last Supper of Jesus) and how ironic because it fell on April 1, also known as April Fool's Day. My family should visit the Oil Museum today but since we arrived a little bit late, my husband just decided to go to Utstein Kloster, a charming 13th century monastery on the island of Mosterøy 30 minutes north of Stavanger.




We went there by car. We took the E39 north from Stavanger, through the first undersea tunnel (233 metres below sea level), past the toll booth, over the bridge, then turn right at the sign for Mosteroy. Turn left at the roundabout, then follow the road across Mosteroy to Klosteroy.


The abbey is at the end of the road. Utstein Kloster is on Klosterøy (or Abbey island) which is connected to Fjøløy and Mosterøy, and more islands beyond. Restored over the last 100 years, it is unique in Norway. It is the best-preserved monastery in the whole of Norway.



Visiting Utstein gives us an insight into the country’s religious make-up. It is the only monastery to have survived from pre-reformation days in a strongly Protestant culture.


It’s a bit like clothes shopping when we went and visited the place, we might find something special hidden, that’s why we always open every door.